<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Despite the initial function of hashtags as tools for sorting and aggregating information according to topics, the social media currently witness a diversity of uses diverging from the initial purpose. The aim of this article is to investigate the communicative functions of hashtags through a combined approach of literature review, field study and case study. Different uses of hashtags were subjected to semantic analysis in order to disclose generalizable trends. As a result, ten communicative functions were identified: topic-marking, aggregation, socializing, excuse, irony, providing metadata, expressing attitudes, initiating movements, propaganda and brand marketing. These findings would help to better understand modern online discourse and to prove that hashtags are to be considered as a meaningful part of the message. A limitation of this study is its restricted volume.</p></abstract>

Despite the initial function of hashtags as tools for sorting and aggregating information according to topics, the social media currently witness a diversity of uses diverging from the initial purpose. The aim of this article is to investigate the communicative functions of hashtags through a combined approach of literature review, field study and case study. Different uses of hashtags were subjected to semantic analysis in order to disclose generalizable trends. As a result, ten communicative functions were identified: topic-marking, aggregation, socializing, excuse, irony, providing metadata, expressing attitudes, initiating movements, propaganda and brand marketing. These findings would help to better understand modern online discourse and to prove that hashtags are to be considered as a meaningful part of the message. A limitation of this study is its restricted volume.

Communicative Functions of Hashtags

Economics and Culture

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

{"article-title":"Communicative Functions of Hashtags"}

Despite the initial function of hashtags as tools for sorting and aggregating information according to topics, the social media currently witness a diversity...

Communicative Functions of Hashtags

Publié en ligne: 20 juil. 2018

Pages: 56 - 62

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jec-2018-0006

Mots clés
hashtags, social networks, pragmatics, communicative functions

© 2018 Aleksandra Laucuka, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Communicative Functions of Hashtags

Publié en ligne: 20 juil. 2018

Pages: 56 - 62

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jec-2018-0006

Mots cléshashtags, social networks, pragmatics, communicative functions

© 2018 Aleksandra Laucuka, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Mots clés
hashtags, social networks, pragmatics, communicative functions